It is with deep sadness that we inform our community of the passing of one of our beloved faculty members, Dr. Murray Dempster.
We would like to extend our most heartfelt sympathies and prayers to Dr. Dempster’s family, friends, fellow faculty, and anyone who had the opportunity to know him. His leadership, teachings, and passion for God greatly shaped the lives of many individuals on our campus.
Dr. Dempster was a professor within the Barnett College of Ministry & Theology from 2010 until his retirement in 2020. His research has made great contributions to global Pentecostalism, and the interaction of Christianity and social ethics. He was highly instrumental in the development of the Global Pentecostalism Center here at SEU.
Before coming to SEU, Dr. Dempster was a faculty member at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California, for 40 years. During his time at Vanguard, he served as professor of social ethics and provost for five years, president for eight years, and chancellor for one year.
Author, editor, and lecturer, Dr. Dempster’s work and ministry have made a tremendous impact across the world. In 1991, he served as the president of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, and from 1993 to 2000, he was the editor of PNEUMA: The Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies.
We are beyond thankful for Dr. Dempster and the immense influence he had on our entire community. We were truly so blessed to have his wisdom, leadership, and kindhearted presence on our campus.
Please join us in praying for the peace of the Lord to comfort Dr. Dempster’s loved ones during this difficult time.
We will share information about his memorial service as soon as it becomes available.
